Containers, Convertible Packaging Devices, Packaged Product Assemblies, and Product Display Methods for Smokeless Tobacco Products

ABSTRACT

Containers adapted for storing a product are provided. The containers may include a body portion and a lid. Further, a convertible packaging device is provided. The convertible packaging device may include a package configurable between a closed configuration and a display configuration. The convertible packaging device may additionally include an insert received within an inner cavity defined by the package. The insert may be configured to support products in the package such as the above-described containers. Related packaged product assemblies and product display methods are also provided.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to containers, convertible packagingdevices, packaged product assemblies, and product display methods. Thepackaging and containers may be employed in conjunction with productsmade or derived from tobacco, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco, andare intended for human consumption in a smokeless form.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various types of containers for dispensing solid objects, particularlysolid products intended for human consumption, are known in the art.Such containers are often characterized by a hand-held size that can beeasily stored and transported. Example consumable products that areoften packaged in such containers include a wide variety of consumerproducts, including smokeless tobacco-related products.

Tobacco may be enjoyed in a so-called “smokeless” form. Particularlypopular smokeless tobacco products are employed by inserting some formof processed tobacco or tobacco-containing formulation into the mouth ofthe user. See for example, the types of smokeless tobacco formulations,ingredients, and processing methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No.1,376,586 to Schwartz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 to Levi; U.S. Pat. No.4,513,756 to Pittman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,993 to Sensabaugh, Jr.et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,599to Tibbetts; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 to Townsend; U.S. Pat. No.5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,839 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 toWilliams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,040 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No.7,032,601 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,686 to Atchley et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,507 to Dube et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,124 toStrickland et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,728 to Holton, Jr. et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 7,901,512 to Quinter et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,168,855 to Neilsenet al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,557 to Kumar et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,036to Strickland et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al.;U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2004/0020503 to Williams; 2007/0062549 to Holton,Jr. et al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0029117 to Mua et al.;2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0196730 to Engstrom et al.;2008/0305216 to Crawford et al.; 2009/0065013 to Essen et al.; and2010/0291245 to Gao et al.; PCT Pub. Nos. WO 04/095959 to Arnarp et al.;and WO 10/132444 to Atchley; each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

Representative smokeless tobacco products that have been marketedinclude those referred to as CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips and CAMEL Sticksby R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; GRIZZLY moist tobacco, KODIAK moisttobacco, LEVI GARRETT loose tobacco and TAYLOR'S PRIDE loose tobacco byAmerican Snuff Company, LLC; KAYAK moist snuff and CHATTANOOGA CHEWchewing tobacco by Swisher International, Inc.; REDMAN chewing tobaccoby Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP; COPENHAGEN moist tobacco and RED SEAL longcut by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company; and Taboka by Philip Morris USA.

Representative types of snuff products, commonly referred to as “snus,”which may comprise pasteurized or heat treated tobacco products, aremanufactured in Europe, particularly in Sweden, by or through companiessuch as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB,Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S and Rocker Production AB. Snus productsavailable in the U.S.A. have been marketed under the trade names such asCAMEL Snus Frost, CAMEL Snus Original and CAMEL Snus Spice by R. J.Reynolds Tobacco Company. Snus products, such as CAMEL Snus Original,are commonly supplied in small teabag-like pouches. The pouches aretypically a nonwoven fleece material, and contain about 0.4 to 1.5 gramsof pasteurized tobacco. These products typically remain in a user'smouth for about 10-30 minutes. Unlike certain other smokeless tobaccoproducts, snus products typically do not require expectoration by theuser. Other pouch types of smokeless tobacco products include thosemarketed as COPENHAGEN Pouches, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, REVEL MintTobacco Packs by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company; and MARLBORO Snus byPhilip Morris USA.

Various types of containers for dispensing moistened solid components,particularly components intended for human consumption, are known in theart. Such containers are often characterized by a hand-held size thatcan be easily stored and transported. For example, snus products havebeen packaged in tins, “pucks” or “pots” that are manufactured frommetal or plastic. See, for example, those types of containers generallydisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,421 to Foster; U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,170to Boyd and U.S. Pat. No. 8,440,023 to Carroll et al.; and U.S. PatentPub. Nos. 2010/0065076 to Bergstrom et al.; 2010/0065077 toLofgreen-Ohrn et al.; 2012/0024301 to Carroll et al. and 2012/0193265 toPatel et al.; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Yetother types of containers for smokeless types of tobacco products areset forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,996 to Bried et al.; D574,709 to Crottset al. and D649,284 to Patel et al.; U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. 2008/0202956to Welk et al., 2010/0012534 to Hoffman, and 2010/0018883 to Patel etal.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/739,776, filed Jan. 11,2013, to Pipes et al.; as well as the various types of containersreferenced in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2013/0206153 to Beeson et al.; eachof which is incorporated by reference herein. Further, U.S. Pat. No.8,567,597 to Gibson et al. discloses a compartment container for snus,and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/739,776, filed Nov. 20, 2013, to Patel et al.,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses acontainer including a first compartment and a second compartmentseparated by an intermediate wall. The first compartment is configuredto receive a tobacco-containing material and the second compartment isconfigured to receive an environment modification material, which actsthrough the intermediate wall upon an atmosphere within the firstcompartment.

It may be desirable to provide such containers with an aestheticallypleasing design. Additionally, packaging and display apparatuses andmethods for the containers may be desirable in order to ship thecontainers and provide a means for displaying the containers at a pointof sale.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a container that, in certainembodiments, combines aesthetics and environmental protection of aproduct, and which can be provided in a convenient handheld size. Thetype and form of the product to be stored can vary.

In one embodiment, the container of the disclosure comprises a bodyhaving a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall and the side walldefine an internal storage compartment adapted for storage of aplurality of units of a product. The side wall has an outer peripheralsurface. A rib structure is engaged with the body about the outerperipheral surface of the side wall and extends outwardly therefrom. Acover is configured to be removably engaged with the body. The coverincludes a top wall and a peripheral flange having an inner surface. Theinner surface is substantially smooth and is configured to interact withthe rib structure when the cover is received over the outer peripheralsurface of the side wall so as to form an interference fit.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a container comprising apolymeric body having a bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall. Thebottom wall and the side wall define an internal storage compartmentadapted for storage of a plurality of units of a product. The side wallhas an outer peripheral surface. A circumferential rib structure isintegrally formed with the polymeric body about the outer peripheralsurface of the side wall and extends radially outwardly therefrom. Therib structure includes a plurality of ribs extending circumferentiallyabout the outer peripheral surface of the side wall. The ribs are spacedapart so as to form channels therebetween for facilitating venting. Ametallic cover is configured to be removably engaged with the polymericbody. The metallic cover includes a top wall and a peripheral flangehaving a cylindrical inner surface. The cylindrical inner surface issubstantially smooth and is configured to interact with the ribstructure when the metallic cover is received over the outer peripheralsurface of the side wall so as to form an interference fit.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a polymeric body having abottom wall and a cylindrical side wall having an edge. The bottom walland the side wall define an internal storage compartment adapted forstorage of a plurality of units of a product. The internal storagecompartment has an opening thereto adjacent to the edge of the sidewall, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the side wall comprises aneck region of reduced diameter proximal to the edge of the side wallsuch that the side wall defines a lip. A circumferential rib structureis integrally formed with the polymeric body about the outer peripheralsurface of the side wall in the neck region and projects radiallyoutwardly therefrom. The rib structure includes a plurality of ribsegments extending circumferentially about the outer peripheral surfaceof the side wall. The rib segments are spaced apart so as to form ventchannels therebetween and each rib segment includes a rib wallprojecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the body and arib projection projecting radially from the rib wall. Each vent channelis at least partially defined by adjacent rib walls and the outerperipheral surface of the side wall of the body. A metallic cover isconfigured to be removably engaged with the polymeric body. The metalliccover has a top wall and a peripheral flange having a cylindrical innersurface. The cylindrical inner surface is substantially smooth and isconfigured to interact with the rib structure when the metallic cover isreceived over the neck region of the side wall so as to form aninterference fit, and wherein the metallic cover is configured to abutthe lip of the side wall of the body when the metallic cover is fullyseated on the body.

In another aspect a convertible packaging device is provided. Theconvertible packaging device may include a package configurable betweena closed configuration and a display configuration. The package mayinclude a plurality of panels configurable to define an inner cavitysubstantially enclosed by the panels in the closed configuration andconfigured to hold one or more products. The panels may include areconfigurable portion and a base portion. The reconfigurable portionmay be configured to move relative to the base portion to define anopening to the inner cavity. The reconfigurable portion may be furtherconfigured to engage the base portion to define a display in the displayconfiguration.

In some embodiments the convertible packaging device may additionallyinclude an insert received within the package. The insert may beconfigured to support the one or more products. The insert may define astepped configuration configured to support each of the products at adiffering height. The base portion of the panels may include adisposable portion that is removable. The base portion may be configuredsuch that the one or more products at least partially extend through theopening when the disposable portion is removed. The disposable portionmay include at least a portion of one or more lateral panels. Thedisposable portion may additionally include at least a portion of afront panel. The panels may additionally include a rear panel. A cutthrough the rear panel may define a rear tab configured to engage thereconfigurable portion in the display configuration.

In an additional aspect a packaged product assembly is provided. Thepackaged product assembly may include a convertible packaging device.The convertible packaging device may include a package configurablebetween a closed configuration and a display configuration. The packagemay include a plurality of panels configurable to define an inner cavitysubstantially enclosed by the panels in the closed configuration. Thepanels may include a reconfigurable portion and a base portion. Thereconfigurable portion may be configured to move relative to the baseportion to define an opening to the inner cavity. The reconfigurableportion may also be configured to engage the base portion to define adisplay in the display configuration. One or more products may bereceived in the inner cavity.

In some embodiments of the packaged product assembly the convertiblepackaging device may additionally include an insert received within thepackage. The insert may support the one or more products. The insert maydefine a stepped configuration configured to support each of theproducts at a differing height. The base portion of the panels mayinclude a disposable portion that is removable. The base portion of thepanels of the package may be configured such that the one or moreproducts at least partially extend through the opening when thedisposable portion is removed. The disposable portion may include atleast a portion of one or more lateral panels. The disposable portionmay additionally include at least a portion of a front panel. The panelsof the package may additionally include a rear panel. A cut through therear panel may define a rear tab configured to engage the reconfigurableportion in the display configuration.

In an additional aspect a product display method is provided. Theproduct display method may include receiving a convertible packagingdevice. The convertible packaging device may include a package in aclosed configuration. The package may include a plurality of panelssubstantially enclosing an inner cavity. The convertible packagingdevice may additionally include one or more products received in theinner cavity. The product display method may additionally includetransforming the convertible packaging device to a displayconfiguration. Transforming the convertible packaging device to adisplay configuration may include moving a reconfigurable portion of thepanels to define an opening to the inner cavity and engaging thereconfigurable portion of the panels with a base portion of the panelsto define a display.

In some embodiments transforming the convertible packaging device to thedisplay configuration may additionally include removing a disposableportion of the base portion of the panels. Removing the disposableportion of the base portion of the panels may include removing at leasta portion of one or more lateral panels. Further, removing thedisposable portion of the base portion of the panels may includeremoving at least a portion of a front panel. Engaging thereconfigurable portion of the panels with the base portion of the panelsto define the display may include engaging the reconfigurable portionwith a rear tab defined by a cut in a rear panel.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from a reading of the following detailed descriptiontogether with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly describedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference willnow be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a container including abody portion, a cover, and an intermediate wall with air passagewaysextending therethrough according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the body portion of thecontainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the body portion of FIG. 2 atSection 3;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged sectional view through the container ofFIG. 1 along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a cover including non-planar surfacesaccording to an alternate example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged sectional view through the cover of FIG.5 along line 6-6;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the intermediate wall of the body ofthe container of FIG. 1 showing a configuration of the air passagewaysthrough that wall according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the intermediate wall of the body ofthe container showing a configuration of the air passageways throughthat wall at the peripheral edge thereof according to an alternateexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a side sectional view through the bodyportion of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a body portion of a containerincluding an intermediate wall including an open center according to analternate example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side sectional view through the body portion ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial cut-away perspective view of a containerincluding a compartment containing an environment modification materialsurrounding the periphery of a compartment containing atobacco-containing material according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom sectional view through the container ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates an inverted perspective view of a containerincluding a body portion coupled to a cover wherein the body portion isin an open position according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a container includinga cover and a body portion that does not include an intermediate wallaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of a blank configured to form a packageaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a package formed from theblank of FIG. 16 according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of a blank configured to form an insertaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates an insert formed from the blank of FIG. 18 accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates a partial perspective view of a convertiblepackaging device comprising the package of FIG. 17 and the insert ofFIG. 19, wherein the insert is received in an inner cavity defined bythe package according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of a packaged product assemblyincluding the convertible package device of FIG. 20 in an openconfiguration and a plurality of containers received therein accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates the packaged product assembly of FIG. 21 in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of the packaged product assemblyof FIG. 21 in a display configuration according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of the packaged product assemblyof FIG. 23 in the display configuration following removal of adisposable portion according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 25 schematically illustrates a product display method according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to certain preferred aspects. These aspects are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed,the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, theseaspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The container embodiments described herein can be used to store varioussolid products, but are particularly well-suited for products designedfor oral consumption. Example embodiments of consumable products thatare often packaged in such containers include a wide variety of moistconsumer products, including tobacco products of the type that have asmokeless form. Various forms of suitable smokeless tobacco products arethose types products set forth and described generally in U.S. PatentPub. Nos. 2012/0193265 to Patel et al. and 2013/0206153 to Beeson etal.; which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Of particular interest, are tobacco products that include tobaccoformulations in a loose form, such as moist snuff products. Other typesof smokeless tobacco products include the types of products set forth inU.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0024301 to Carroll et al., which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety. Example embodiments of loose formtobacco used with the containers of the present disclosure may includetobacco formulations associated with, for example, commerciallyavailable GRIZZLY moist tobacco products and KODIAK moist tobaccoproducts that are marketed by American Snuff Company, LLC. Exampleembodiments of snus forms of tobacco products are commercially availableas CAMEL Snus by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

The shape of the outer surface of the containers of the disclosure canvary. Although the container embodiments illustrated in the drawingshave certain contours, containers with other exterior surface designsalso can be suitably adapted and used. For example, the sides or edgesof the containers of the disclosure can be flattened, rounded, orbeveled, and the various surfaces or edges of the container exterior canbe concave or convex. Further, the opposing sides, ends, or edges of thecontainer can be parallel or non-parallel such that the containerbecomes narrower in one or more dimensions. See, for example, the typesof containers, components, component arrangements and configurations,and constructions thereof set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,996 to Briedet al. and D649,284 to Patel et al.; U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. 2010/0018883to Patel et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/739,776, filedJan. 11, 2013, to Pipes et al.; as well as the various types ofcontainers referenced in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2013/0206153 to Beeson etal.; each of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

The dimensions of the containers described herein can vary withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. However, in highly preferredembodiments, the containers can be described as having a cylindricalsize suitable for handheld manipulation and operation. Exampledimensions for such handheld generally cylindrical embodiments includediameters in the range from about 50 mm to about 100 mm, and moretypically from about 60 mm to about 80 mm. Example wall thicknessesinclude the range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, and more typicallyfrom about 0.8 mm to about 1.4 mm. Example depths for handheld containerembodiments of the present disclosure range from about 5 mm to about 50mm, more typically from about 8 mm to about 30 mm, and most often fromabout 15 mm to about 25 mm. In some embodiments a general outwardappearance of the container is comparable in many regards to that havebeen used for commercially available GRIZZLY and KODIAK products thatare marketed by American Snuff Company, LLC.

However, in other highly preferred embodiments, the size of thecontainers described herein may vary from the above-describeddimensions. For example, the containers may be sized for promotionalpurposes by providing either increased or decreased dimensions ascompared to typical dimensions for such containers. In this regard,containers having increased or decreased dimensions may define arelatively more eye-catching appearance.

By way of further example, the dimensions of the containers may bescaled upwardly or downwardly by certain multipliers. In this regard, insome embodiments the dimensions of the container may be scaled upwardlyor downwardly by a multiple from about one to about ten times. Thus,whereas a conventional container according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be configured to store about 1.2 ounces of atobacco-containing material, an oversized container may be configured tostore, for example, 2.4 ounces or 7.2 ounces of the tobacco containingmaterial. In specialty markets the containers may define a largercylindrical configuration having a diameter from about 100 mm to about140 mm (e.g., preferably about 120 mm) and a depth from about 30 mm toabout 50 mm (e.g., preferably about 40 mm). Containers having such asize may define a relatively eye-catching appearance. Further, it isnoted that the dimensions and capacities of the containers disclosedherein are provided for example purposes only and may be modified tosuit particular purposes.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of one type ofcontainer 10 which is representative of the present disclosure. Therepresentative generally cylindrical container 10 may be formed by anopen-ended lower body or body portion 20 and a lid or cover 21. Thecover 21 may be secured to the body portion 20, as illustrated in FIG.1, and removed therefrom, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The body portion 20has a bottom wall 22, which in some instances, may be substantiallyplanar, and at least one side wall 24 depending from the bottom wall,which may be generally cylindrical (as shown). The side wall 24 definesa peripheral portion of the container 10 such that the side wall 24includes an outer peripheral surface 27.

The bottom wall 22 and the side wall 24 cooperate to define a sealedlower internal storage compartment 26 for storage of an environmentmodification material 25. The lower internal storage compartment 26 isbounded at a top by an intermediate wall 28 (e.g., an intermediatebottom wall, or false bottom) that is engaged with the side wall 24 at aposition upwardly displaced from the bottom wall 22 and towards an upperregion or portion 30 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) of the body portion 20. Assuch, the lower internal storage compartment 26 is substantiallyenclosed by the configuration of the bottom wall 22, the side wall 24,and the intermediate bottom wall 28. In the embodiment shown, theconfiguration of the body portion 20 is such that both the bottom wall22 and the intermediate bottom wall 28 are generally planar, and thosetwo walls are arranged so as to be essentially parallel to one another.Further, the configuration of the body portion 20 is such that the sidewall 24 and the intermediate bottom wall 28 form an open-ended,generally cylindrical upper internal storage region or compartment 29.

Thus, the body portion 20 may include first (e.g., the upper internalstorage compartment 29) and second (e.g., the lower internal storagecompartment 26) compartments. The relative dimensions of the upperinternal storage compartment 29 and lower internal storage compartment26 of the body portion 20 of the container 10 can vary. For example, theratio of the volume of the upper internal storage compartment 29 to thatof the lower internal storage compartment 26 of a sealed container 10can range from about 6:1 to about 2:1, and most often from about 5:1 toabout 3:1.

The intermediate bottom wall 28 possesses at least one aperture, throughhole, perforation, or air passageway 39 defined therethrough, or isotherwise adapted to allow for atmosphere within the lower internalstorage compartment 26 to pass between that compartment and the upperinternal storage compartment 29. The air passageways 39 may be formed inthe intermediate bottom wall 28 (e.g., molded therein) or punched orotherwise removed therefrom. The size, number and positioning of the airpassageways 39 in the intermediate bottom wall 28 are such that theenvironment modification material 25 located in the lower internalstorage compartment 26 can act upon the atmosphere within the upperinternal storage compartment 29. The air passageways 39 also areconfigured so as to allow the contents of the lower storage compartment26 (e.g., the environment modification material 25) to be physicallyseparated from the upper internal storage compartment 29. In thisregard, the intermediate wall 28 may comprise a screen, a permeablemembrane, or any other barrier configured to prevent physical contactbetween the contents of the upper internal storage compartment 29 andthe contents of the lower internal storage compartment 26 while allowingthe environment modification material 25 to affect the atmosphere withinthe upper internal storage compartment. In some embodiments, a barrierbetween the upper internal storage compartment 29 and the lower internalstorage compartment 26 can be gas permeable and can be substantiallyimpermeable to liquids.

In this regard, the upper internal storage compartment 29 may beconfigured to receive a product such as a tobacco-containing material 41(e.g., a smokeless tobacco product) in any form (e.g., packaged orloose) therein. The cover 21 may define an upper boundary of the upperinternal storage compartment 29 when coupled to the body portion 20. Inthis regard, the cover 21 is typically removably secured to the upperregion 30 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) of the body portion 20 by a snap-fit or aninterference fit.

As illustrated, the cover 21 may include a top wall 42, which, in someinstances, may be substantially planar, and a peripheral flange 44depending from the top wall which is shown as being cylindrical, andwhich extends to a lower edge 46. The peripheral flange 44 of the cover21 is configured to be received over the side wall 24 of the bodyportion 20 so as to form an enclosure therebetween. The illustratedperipheral flange 44 possesses an outer surface 48, and may include asubstantially flat or smooth inner surface 50 (see, FIG. 4). That is,the inner surface 50 of the cover 21 may not include any protrusions,projections, ribs, or the like for interacting with the outer peripheralsurface 27 of the side wall 24 of the body portion 20 in someembodiments. In this regard, the inner surface 50 of the cover 21 issubstantially smooth and continuous about the cylindrical configurationof the peripheral flange 44 in the illustrated embodiment.

The material of construction of the body portion 20 of the container 10can vary. Example embodiments of preferred materials include metal andsynthetic plastic materials. Polymeric materials that can be extrudedand/or molded into desired shapes are typically utilized, such aspolypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, and the like. Forexample, plastic materials may be injection molded to form the bodyportion 20. Example embodiments of preferred body portions are thosethat incorporate polymeric materials such as those types of plastic-typematerials commonly used for popular types of smokeless tobacco products.For example, body portions formed from polymeric materials arecomparable to the components and general structures used forcommercially available CAMEL Snuff, GRIZZLY and KODIAK products that aremarketed by American Snuff Company, LLC. Various metallic materials mayadditionally or alternatively be employed to form the body portion 20 ofthe container 10. Body portions formed from metallic materials areavailable from J. L. Clark of Rockford, Ill., Crown Cork and Seal ofPhiladelphia, Pa., and Independent Can of Belcamp, Md. The metallicmaterials may include tinplate or tinplated steel in some embodiments.

The manner by which the body portion 20 of the container 10 ismanufactured can vary. As discussed hereinafter, the intermediate bottomwall 28 and/or the bottom wall 22 may be substantially irreversibly(e.g., irreleasably and permanently) attached to the remainder of thebody portion 20. In a highly preferred embodiment, the intermediatebottom wall 28 and the side wall 24 that defines the side walls of theupper and lower internal compartments 29, 26 are integral with oneanother. As such, those components of the body portion 20 may bemanufactured as one piece. In one embodiment the intermediate bottomwall 28 and the side wall 24 may be joined by injection molding or anyof the various other formation and coupling techniques.

In a preferred embodiment, the body portion 20 is formed from apolymeric material, while the cover 21 is formed from a metallicmaterial such as, for example, aluminum or tinplate. Such aconfiguration is advantageous in that it provides an aestheticallyappealing appearance by using a metallic cover 21 (which is typicallystamped), while also allowing the body to be less expensively producedusing, for example, an injection molding process. In this manner, a ribstructure (as described below) may be more easily and less expensivelyformed at the body portion 20 (i.e., via plastic injection moldinginstead of metallic stamping). Example embodiments of covers formed frommetallic materials are those used for commercially available CAMELSnuff, GRIZZLY and KODIAK products that are marketed by American SnuffCompany, LLC. In this regard, the cover 21 can be manufactured from ironor steel, which can be plated with a thin layer of tin, and thenovercoated with primers, epoxy lacquers, and the like. A thin layer ofthermoplastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene) can beapplied over epoxy lacquer coated tin plated steel. However, if desired,the cover can be manufactured from polymeric materials, such aspolymeric materials identical to those used to produce the body portion.

Accordingly, the container 10 may be formed from various materialsincluding, for example, metal and/or plastic. In some embodiments thecontainer may optionally include a gasket configured to seal theconnection between the cover 21 and the body portion 20 as disclosed,for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,996 to Bried et al. or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/739,776, filed Jan. 11, 2013, to Pipes et al.,which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Further, in one embodiment the body portion 20 and/or the cover 21 maybe formed from two or more materials. For example, in one embodiment thebody portion 20 may comprise a plastic insert or liner inside of a metalouter body. This body portion may be combined with a metal cover suchthat the container appears to be all metal when the exterior thereof isviewed. Use of a plastic insert in a metal outer body is employed incontainers for CAMEL Snus, as marketed by R. J. Reynolds TobaccoCompany, GRIZZLY moist tobacco products, as marketed by American SnuffCompany, LLC, and MARLBORO snus, as marketed by Philip Morris.

When the tobacco-containing material 41 is a loose tobacco product, theamount of tobacco product stored in the upper storage compartment 29 ofthe container 10 can also vary. Typically, for example, the amount ofstored moist tobacco product varies from about 20 g to about 50 g, andmost often is provided in weights from about 30 g to about 40 g and maybe embodied in loose form. When the tobacco-containing material 41 is apouched or snus-type of product, the number of solid product unitsstored in a representative container can also vary, and will depend uponfactors such as the size of the container 10, the size of the productunits, the degree of container fill, and the like. Typically, the numberof stored pouched product units will vary from about 5 to about 30, moretypically from about 10 to about 25, and often from about 15 to about20.

Various embodiments of the environment modification material 25 may beemployed. The environment modification material 25 can be selected so asto provide for alteration or control of the atmosphere within the sealedcontainer 10. For example, the environment modification material 25 canbe selected so as to control the level of certain gases, such as oxygenor carbon dioxide, within the container 10. The environment modificationmaterial 25 also can have the form of a humidity control device orformulation, and as such, the degree of moisture within the sealedcontainer 10 can be controlled. As such, the environment modificationmaterial 25 can be a selected from materials or formulations that havedesiccant properties. Alternatively, a preferred humidity control deviceis of the type set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,026 to Saari et al,which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

In one embodiment the environment modification material 25 may beconfigured to provide moisture to, or remove moisture from, theatmosphere in the container 10, depending on the level of humidity inthe atmosphere in the container. An example embodiment of such anenvironment modification material is sold under the trade name BOVEDAPACK by Serious Cigars of Houston, Tex. As yet another example, theenvironment modification material 25 may comprise a material that iscapable of imparting sensory attributes, such as flavor or aromacharacteristics, to the tobacco-containing material 41 that is storedwithin the sealed container 10. For example, the environmentmodification material 25 can be comprised of volatile flavor and/oraroma substances carried by a substrate material that provides forcontrolled release of those volatile substances. Various other examplesof environmental modification materials include ion exchange materials(e.g., resins), preservatives, desiccants, and aromatic materials.

The environment modification material 25 may be embodied in a number ofdifferent forms. For example, the environment modification material 25may comprise beads (e.g., alumina beads), films (e.g., impregnatedfilms), loose material, material in a package (e.g., a fabric package),material in a packet (e.g., a porous paper packet) or a sachet, plasticmaterials, sponges, sponge-type material, carbon materials (e.g.,charcoal), etc. The amount of environment modification material 25 thatis incorporated into the container 10 can vary. The amount ofenvironment modification material 25 may range from about 10 g to about50 g and preferably from about 15 g to about 30 g. Note that this amountcorresponds to a typically-sized container and may be scaledappropriately, depending on the size of the container, in proportion tothe volume of the container and/or the quantity of tobacco containingmaterial received in the container.

As noted above, in one embodiment the environment modification material25 may be configured to control a humidity level within the container10. In this regard, it may be desirable to maintain the relativehumidity within the upper internal storage compartment 29 of thecontainer 10 from about 20% to about 90%. By way of example, snus maypreferably be stored at a relative humidity from about 25% to about 35%.Moist snuff may preferably be stored at a relative humidity from about75% to about 90%. Accordingly, the environment modification material 25may be configured to maintain relative humidity levels within the upperinternal storage compartment 29 within these ranges when suchtobacco-containing materials 41 are received therein. In this regard, asnoted above, the environment modification material 25 may be configuredto provide moisture to and/or remove moisture from the atmosphere in thecontainer 10, depending on the level of humidity in the atmosphere inthe container, such that the relative humidity level in the upperinternal storage compartment 29 falls within a desired range.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the body portion 20 of thecontainer. Projecting from the outer peripheral surface 27 of the bodyportion 20 (and when provided, a neck region 34) is a circumferentialrib structure 60 configured to form a seal with the cover 21 (see, FIG.1). In some aspects, the rib structure 60 may be integrally formed withthe side wall 24 of the body portion 20, such as, for example, when thebody portion is formed by a plastic injection molding process. In otherinstances, the rib structure 60 may be a separate and discrete componentsecured or otherwise affixed to the side wall 24 with appropriatemechanical fasteners or adhesive (e.g., an epoxy adhesive). For example,the rib structure 60 may be formed by a plurality of rib segments 62arranged in spaced relation around the periphery of the side wall 24 ofthe body portion (e.g., positioned circumferentially about the side wall24 of the body portion where the container body is cylindrical). Anynumber of rib segments 62 may be provided in accordance with the presentdisclosure (e.g., often from about 2 to about 20 rib segments, andfrequently from about 5 to about 15 rib segments), although a preferredembodiment includes about 8 to about 12 rib segments.

As described below, the rib structure may be configured to allow forventing from the container. However, it should be understood thatventing is optional depending on the particular type of product storedtherein. For example, venting may be employed in conjunction with moistsnuff smokeless tobacco products. Alternatively, venting may not berequired for pasteurized smokeless tobacco products such as snus, whichmay be sealed in an airtight container.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the body portion 20 atSection 3 from FIG. 2. Each rib segment 62 may include a rib wall 66 anda rib projection 68. The rib wall 66 may extend radially outwardly fromthe outer peripheral surface 27 of the side wall 24. Thus, the rib walls66 have a thickness so as to extend from the outer peripheral surface 27of the side wall 24 of the body portion 20 in such a manner that thelateral ends thereof form vent channels 64 between adjacent rib segments62. In other words, each rib segment 62 is raised in comparison to theadjacent exterior surface 27 of the side wall 24 such that the ventchannels 64 are formed between the rib segments.

The rib projections 68 may extend radially outwardly from the rib wall66 or extend directly radially outwardly from the outer peripheralsurface 27 of the side wall 24 of the body portion 20. In someinstances, the rib projection 68 may extend along the entire width of anend of the rib wall 66 proximate to the open end of the body portion 20.Although the rib projections 68 are shown in spaced relation to the topedge 69 of the body portion 20, the position of the rib projections mayvary in relation to the top edge, meaning the rib projection could bemoved closer to or further away from the top edge 69. In some instances,the rib projections 68 have a substantially arcuate or rounded profile,although other configurations may also be employed, such as, forexample, a configuration in which the rib projection 68 terminate at asubstantially sharp edge distal from the outer peripheral surface 27.

When the cover 21 (see, FIG. 1) is engaged with the body portion 20,each vent channel 64 is bounded by an adjacent pair of the rib segments62 between the body portion and the cover. The vent channels 64 extendbetween a top edge 69 of the side wall 24 downwardly past the ribsegments 62 to a lip 32 to allow venting from the interior of the sealedcontainer 10 to the atmosphere exterior of the container. In thisregard, the upper portion 30 of the side wall 24 of the body portion 20may define the lip 32 at the end of the neck region 34 of reduceddiameter (as compared to the diameter of the remainder of the outersurface of the side wall). The location of the lip 32 along the sidewall 24 of the body portion 20 can vary, meaning that the distancebetween the lip 32 and the top edge 69 of the body portion can be amatter of design choice.

Further, a plurality of bumps or protrusions 70 may be positioned on thetop edge 69 of the body portion 20. As described below, the protrusions70 may facilitate venting through the vent channels 64 when the cover 21(see, FIG. 1) is fully seated on the body portion 20. In someembodiments the vent channels 64 include heights in the range of about 7millimeters to about 7.2 millimeters.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container 10 alongline 4-4 from FIG. 1. As illustrated, the rib projections 68 interactwith the peripheral flange 44 of the cover 21 in an interference fitwhen the cover is positioned over the side wall 24 of the body portion20, so as to form a seal therebetween. In this regard, the ribprojections 68 force the peripheral flange 44 outward (e.g., such thatthe peripheral flange aligns with or extends outward of the outerperipheral surface 27 of the body portion 20) to form a tightinterference fit when the cover 21 is engaged with the body portion.

Example dimensions for the rib projections 68 include heights in therange of about 0.25 mm to about 0.75 mm. As used herein, height refersto the major dimension of the rib projection 68 that extends from theside wall 24, as indicated by reference character B. Further, a height Cof the rib wall 66, also defined relative to the side wall 24, may befrom about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm. Rib projections 68 may be positionedin a range from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm below the top edge 69 ofthe side wall 24 below the top edge.

In instances where the lip 32 is provided on the body portion 20, thelower edge 46 of the peripheral flange 44 may interact with the surface36 (see, FIG. 3) of the lip 32 to form a stop when the cover 21 isreceived upon the body portion 20. In other words, in some embodimentsthe lower edge 46 of the peripheral flange 44 of the cover 21, which maybe substantially planar, abuts the surface 36 of the lip 32 (which mayalso be substantially planar) when the cover 21 is fully seated upon thebody portion. However, in some embodiments the lip 32 and/or the loweredge 46 of the peripheral flange 44 may include channels, gaps, or otherfeatures configured to allow for venting from the vent channels 64 tothe exterior of the container 10.

Alternatively, the lip 32 may be displaced from the lower edge 46 of theperipheral flange 44 when the cover 21 is fully received on the bodyportion 20 to allow for venting from the vent channels 64 to theexterior of the container 10. For example, the dimensions of theprotrusions 70, the neck region 34 of the side wall 24, and/or theperipheral flange 44 of the cover 21 may be configured to provide aseparation between the lower edge 46 of the peripheral flange and thelip 32. Regardless of whether the lower edge 46 of the peripheral flangeabuts the lip 32, the protrusions 70 may provide upper vent channels 71between each pair of the protrusions and between the top wall 42 of thelid and the top edge 69 of the body portion 20. The upper vent channels71 may be in communication with the vent channels 64 to facilitateventing of the container 10 in the manner described above.

The cylindrical outer surface 48 of the cover 21 may typically have thesame approximate size or diameter as the side wall 24 of the bodyportion 20, such that the cover 21 and the body portion form a smoothexterior surface when the cover is placed over the neck region 34 of theside wall and fully seated upon the body portion. For example, theperipheral flange 44 of the cover 21 can engage the rib projections 68in such a manner that the outer peripheral surface 27 of the bodyportion 20 below the lip 32 is substantially flush with the outersurface 48 of the cover 21. In other words, in some instances, theperipheral flange 44 of the cover 21 may not be deflected by the ribstructure 60 to such a degree that causes the peripheral flange 44 toextend outwardly beyond the lip 32.

Although the embodiment of the cover 21 is described above as generallydefining a substantially planar top wall 42 and a peripheral flange 44extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom to the lower edge 46,various other configurations of the cover may be employed. In thisregard, by way of example, FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of anembodiment of a cover 21′ defining a differing configuration. Asillustrated, the cover 21′ includes a top wall 42′ and a peripheralflange 44′.

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged sectional view through the cover 21′along line 6-6 from FIG. 5. As illustrated, the peripheral flange 44′may extend to a lower edge 46′. The lower edge 46′ may be defined by afold or roll in the peripheral flange 44′, whereby an end portion 78′ ofthe peripheral flange is bent inwardly and upwardly such that the endportion extends generally upwardly, whereas a remainder of theperipheral flange extends generally downwardly from the top wall 42′.Accordingly, the lower edge 46′ of the peripheral flange 44′ may definea rounded configuration, which may facilitate coupling of the cover 21′to a body portion by removing a sharp edge therefrom.

Further, the peripheral flange 44′ may include an indentation 80′defined in an outer surface 48′ of the peripheral flange. Theindentation 80′ may form a protrusion 82′ at an inner surface 50′ of theperipheral flange 44′. The protrusion 82′ may be configured to engage arib structure to prevent accidental release of the cover 21′ from a bodyportion (see, e.g., body portion 20 including the rib structure 60 inFIG. 2) by providing interference fit therebetween. Further, theindentation 80′ may be configured to cause a lower portion 84′ of theperipheral flange 44′ including the end portion 78′ to define anoutwardly extending angle 86′ with respect to vertical. The outwardlyextending angle 86′ may be less than about five degrees in someembodiments in order to provide a substantially flush configuration withan outer peripheral surface of a side wall of a body portion whencoupled therewith (e.g., when coupled with the body portion 20comprising the side wall 24 having the outer peripheral surface 27). Byproviding the lower portion 84′ with the outwardly extending angle 86′,the cover 21′ may more easily slide over the top edge of a body portion(e.g., body portion 20 including top edge 69 in FIG. 3).

In order to form the various curves, indentation, angles and bendsdescribed above, in some embodiments the cover 21′ and other coversdescribed herein may comprise stamped metal (e.g., tin). However, inother embodiments the cover may be formed in other manners beyondstamping. Further, the cover may comprise various other materials asdescribed above.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a top view of an embodiment of theintermediate bottom wall 28′, which may be included in a body portion ofa container (e.g., the body portion 20 of the container 10 of FIG. 1),showing a representative configuration of air passageways 39′ extendingtherethrough. As illustrated, in one embodiment the air passageways 39′may be provided through the intermediate bottom wall 28′ such that theouter perimeter of the intermediate bottom wall is continuous, withoutthe air passageways extending therethrough. Further, FIG. 7 illustratesa permeable barrier material 39 a′ that may be included in theintermediate bottom wall 28′ and any other embodiments of intermediatewalls disclosed herein. For example, the permeable barrier material 39a′ may comprise a mesh or screen material.

However, various other configurations of the intermediate bottom walland the air passageways extending therethrough may be provided. Forexample, FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of theintermediate bottom wall 28″, which may be included in a body portion ofa container (e.g., the body portion 20 of the container 10 of FIG. 1),showing an alternative representative configuration of air passageways39″ through that wall. As illustrated, in this embodiment the airpassageways 39″ extend through the outer peripheral edge of theintermediate bottom wall 28″.

Accordingly, the air passageways 39 may be positioned at a variety oflocations within the intermediate bottom wall 28. Further, variousquantities, sizes, and shapes of the air passageways 39 may be employed.Other types of air passageways include, e.g., through holes extendingthrough a screen or a layer of fabric. However, any of variousembodiments of the intermediate bottom wall 28 and the air passageways39 may be employed so long as the intermediate bottom wall is configuredto prevent the environment modification material 25 from entering theupper internal storage compartment 29, prevent the tobacco-containingmaterial 41 from entering the bottom internal storage compartment 26,and allow the environment modification material to affect the atmospherewithin the upper internal storage compartment (e.g., by allowing airflowbetween the lower internal storage compartment and the upper internalstorage compartment).

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a sectional view through the bodyportion 20 of the container of FIG. 1, without any tobacco-containingmaterial received in the upper compartment 29. As illustrated, thebottom wall 22 may couple to the side wall 24 of the body portion 20such that the body portion is sealed at a bottom thereof. In oneembodiment, the bottom wall 22 is a separate piece that is attached toside wall 24 of the body portion 20 so as to seal the environmentmodification material 25 within the bottom compartment 26. Mostpreferably, the bottom wall 22 is attached to the side wall 24 of thebody portion 20 so that the bottom wall is not readily removable or isnot prone to being opened without significant effort.

In this regard, the bottom wall 22 may be hermetically sealed to sidewall 24 of the body portion 20. For example, the bottom wall 22 may beretained in engagement with the side wall 24 of the body portion 20 viaone-way hooks, hinges, rivets, adhesives, sealants, gaskets, welds(e.g., ultrasonic welds, foil laminate ultrasonic welds, friction stirwelds), etc., or any combination thereof. Examples of hermetic sealingand various other permanent joint arrangements are disclosed, by way ofexample, in PCT Application WO 2009068915 A2 to Warwick et al. and EP0813946 A1 to Davis et al., which are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties. An example embodiment of an induction sealingsystem for welding foil laminates, which may be employed in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure, is available from EnerconIndustries Corporation of Menomonee Falls, Wis.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of an alternate embodiment of a bodyportion 120 which may be included in embodiments of containers discussedherein (e.g., when combined with the cover 21 illustrated in FIG. 1). Asillustrated, the body portion 120 includes a side wall 124 and a bottomwall 122. Further, the body portion 120 includes an intermediate bottomwall 128. As illustrated, the intermediate bottom wall 128 may includeair passageways 139 extending therethrough. Accordingly, theintermediate bottom wall 128 may allow for passage of gases and vaporstherethrough as discussed above. Further, the intermediate bottom wall128 may include an aperture 172 extending therethrough, for example at acenter thereof.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side sectional view through the body portion 120of FIG. 10. As illustrated, the intermediate bottom wall 128 may includea transverse wall 174 extending substantially perpendicular to theremainder of the intermediate bottom wall. The transverse wall 174 maythus cause a lower internal storage compartment 126 to define an annularring shape, in which an environment modification material 125 may bereceived. Further, an extension 176 of an upper internal storagecompartment 129 may be surrounded by the transverse wall 174.Accordingly, the extension 176 of the upper compartment 129 may providemore space in which to receive tobacco-containing material (e.g.,tobacco-containing material 41, as illustrated in FIG. 2).

The transverse wall 174 may include the air passageways 139 extendingtherethough. In this regard, the transverse wall 174 may include airpassageways 139 extending transversely to the air passageways in theremainder of the intermediate bottom wall 128 in some embodiments.Alternatively, only the transverse wall 174 may include the airpassageways 139. Including air passageways 139 in the transverse wall174 may be desirable in that it may provide additional airflowtherethrough, and these air passageways may be less prone to blockagedue to the transverse orientation, such that gravity may not presstobacco-containing material (e.g., tobacco-containing material 41, asillustrated in FIG. 2) into contact therewith in horizontal orientationsof a container including the body portion 120. Further, including airpassageways 139 extending in two directions (e.g., through thetransverse wall 174 and the remainder of the intermediate bottom wall)may resist blockage of the air passageways in both horizontal andvertical orientations of a container including the body portion 120.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an additional embodiment of the container210. More particularly, FIG. 12 is a partial cut-away perspective viewof the container 210 and FIG. 13 is a bottom sectional view through thecontainer. As illustrated, the container 210 includes a body portion 220and a lid or cover 221. The body portion 220 includes a side wall 224and a bottom wall 222. An intermediate wall 228 divides a space insideof the body portion 220 into a first internal storage compartment 229and a second internal storage compartment 226. The first internalstorage compartment 229 may be configured to receive atobacco-containing material 241, and the second internal storagecompartment 226 may be configured to receive an environment modificationmaterial 225.

The intermediate wall 228 may extend around the periphery of the firstinternal storage compartment 229 (e.g., extending around thecircumference thereof in the illustrated embodiment) such that thesecond internal storage compartment 226 surrounds the periphery of thefirst internal storage compartment (e.g., surrounding the circumferencethereof in the illustrated embodiment). In this regard, the intermediatewall 228 may be radially inwardly displaced from the side wall 224 suchthat the second internal storage compartment defines an annularconfiguration. Use of such a configuration may hide the second internalstorage compartment 226 from a consumer, such that a consumer does notknow of, and thereby does not attempt to gain access to, the secondinternal storage compartment. In this regard, the top of theintermediate wall 228 may be integrally formed with, or otherwisecoupled to, the side wall 224 or other part of the body portion 220 suchthat the second internal storage compartment 226 is sealed at the topand a consumer may not view into the second internal storagecompartment. Further, the second internal storage compartment 226 may beenclosed at a bottom thereof by a bottom wall 222 of the body portion220 in some embodiments.

In one embodiment the width of the annular space between the side wall224 and the intermediate wall 228 may be from about 3.8 mm to about 12.7mm, and preferably about 6.4 mm. Accordingly, the distance between theside wall 224 and the intermediate wall 228 may be relatively small. Asnoted above, this may assist in concealing the presence of the secondinternal storage compartment 226.

The intermediate wall 228 may include perforations or air passageways239 that allow the environmental modification material 225 to actthrough the intermediate wall upon an atmosphere within the firstinternal storage compartment 229. The air passageways 239 may bepositioned within the intermediate wall 228 at locations from a top to abottom of the intermediate wall in one embodiment. Alternatively, asillustrated, the air passageways 239 may be separated from the bottomwall 222 (e.g., spaced therefrom from about 0.25 6.4 mm to about 25.4 mmand preferably about 12. 7 mm) in some embodiments. Such a spacing maybe configured to prevent any tobacco-containing material 241 (e.g.,crumbs or particles thereof) from entering the air passageways 239, suchthat the air passageways do not become blocked and thetobacco-containing material does not enter the second internal storagecompartment 226.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an alternative embodiment of acontainer 310 according to the present disclosure in an invertedconfiguration. More particularly, there is shown a container 310 of thetype set forth in U.S. Pat. No. D649,284 to Patel et al. and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/739,776 to Pipes et al., filed Jan. 11, 2013,which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Thecontainer 310 includes a cover 321 that is shown as being as applied toa body portion 320, and hence the container is shown in a closedconfiguration. The body portion 320 possesses a lower internal storagecompartment 326 into which an environment modification material 325 ispositioned. The lower internal storage compartment 326 is separated froma remainder of the body portion 320 by an intermediate bottom wall 328that possesses at least one perforation, opening or air passageway 339.

A portion of a bottom wall 322 of the body portion 320 of the container310 possesses the form of a door or flap 380 which is shown as open, butwhich is configured to be sealed shut to maintain the environmentmodification material 325 sealed in the lower internal storagecompartment 326. In this regard, the flap 380 may be configured to besubstantially irreversibly shut in some embodiments, such that a usermay not remove the flap during ordinary use thereof. For example, theflap 380 may be retained in the closed configuration via one-way hooks,hinges, rivets, adhesives, sealants, gaskets, welds (e.g., ultrasonicwelds, foil laminate ultrasonic welds, and friction stir welds), etc.,or any combination thereof.

Further, the flap 380 may be hermetically sealed to the remainder of thebottom wall 322. Examples of hermetic sealing and other permanentcoupling arrangements are disclosed, by way of example, in PCTApplication WO 2009068915 A2 to Warwick et al. and EP 0813946 A1 toDavis et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. An example embodiment of an induction sealing process forwelding foil laminates, which may be employed in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure to seal the flap 380 to theremainder of the bottom wall 322 is available from Enercon IndustriesCorporation of Menomonee Falls, Wis.

Note that while embodiments of containers are described above andillustrated in the drawings as having particular configurations (e.g.,cylindrical), these embodiments are provided for example purposes only.In this regard, the containers of the present disclosure may embody anyof various configurations in which a container includes two chambersseparated by a barrier (e.g., a semipermeable barrier) configured toprevent movement of a product from one chamber to the other whileallowing for environmental exchange, particularly gases and vapors,between the chambers. Accordingly, the configurations of the containersincorporating aspects of the present disclosure may differ from theparticular example embodiments disclosed above. For example, the twochambers may be one on top of the other, beside each other, orconfigured in any of various other manners.

Thus, as noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure may includean environment modification material, which may affect an environmentwithin a container so as to preserve or otherwise affect atobacco-containing material or other material received therein.Accordingly, as described above, an intermediate wall having airpassageways extending therethrough may be employed to divide an interiorof a body portion of the container into first and second internalstorage compartments into which the tobacco-containing material and theenvironment modification material may be respectively received.

However, use of the environment modification material and theintermediate wall is optional. In this regard, FIG. 15 illustrates anembodiment of a container 410 according to an alternate embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The container includes a body portion 420 and alid or cover 421. Thus, the container 410 may be substantially similarto the container 10 described above and illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this regard, the body portion 420 includes a bottom wall 422, whichin some instances, may be substantially planar, and at least one sidewall 424 which, depending from the shape of bottom wall, may begenerally cylindrical (as shown). The side wall 424 defines a peripheralportion of the container 410 such that the side wall includes an outerperipheral surface 427.

Further, the cover 421 may include a top wall 442, which, in someinstances, may be substantially planar, and a peripheral flange 444depending from the top wall which is shown as being cylindrical, andwhich extends to a lower edge 446. The peripheral flange 444 of thecover 421 is configured to be received over the side wall 424 of thebody portion 420 so as to form an enclosure therebetween. Theillustrated peripheral flange 444 possesses an outer surface 448 thatmay be configured to align with the outer peripheral surface 427 of theside wall 424 of the body portion 420. In some embodiments the lid 421may include a rib structure that is substantially similar to the ribstructure 60 described above with respect to the container 10illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, a cross-sectional view through thecontainer 410 of FIG. 15 across line 4′-4′ may be substantially similarto the view illustrated in FIG. 4.

However, the container 410 may differ from the embodiments of containersdescribed above in that the container illustrated in FIG. 15 does notinclude an intermediate bottom wall. Rather, the bottom wall 422 and theside wall 424 of the body portion 420 cooperate to define an internalstorage compartment 429 configured for storage of a tobacco-containingmaterial 441. In this regard, as noted above, inclusion of anintermediate wall in the containers of the present disclosure isoptional. Note that the tobacco-containing material 441 is illustratedin loose form in FIG. 15. However, in other embodiments a packagedtobacco-containing material may be received therein.

With respect to any of the embodiments of containers disclosed herein,as part of the final packaging process after filling the containers witha desired amount of smokeless tobacco product or othertobacco-containing material, the containers may be sealed (e.g., byplacing the cover over the body portion), and the sealed containersoptionally can be further sealed with a circumferential label or wrapperof a pervious or impervious material. The label or wrapping material canvary. Typically, the selection of the packaging label or wrapper isdependent upon factors such as aesthetics, desired barrier properties(e.g., so as to provide protection from exposure to oxygen, or so as toprovide protection from loss of moisture), or the like.

Accordingly, various embodiments of containers for tobacco-containingmaterials are provided above. It may be desirable to provide suitablepackaging and product displays for the above-described containers andvarious other products. In this regard, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are further directed to accessory items that may be employedin conjunction with the above-described containers and various otherembodiments of products.

In this regard, FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of a blank 500configured to form a package. The blank 500 may comprise variousembodiments of materials including paperboard, corrugated board,chipboard, fiberboard, and/or thermoplastic. However, various otherembodiments of materials may be employed in other embodiments. In someembodiments the material defining the blank 500 may be laminated orcoated with wax or other material. Further, the blank 500 may beimprinted via any of various known methods to provide the blank with,for example, an ornamental design, and/or identifying information.Useful exemplary materials include paperboard of a suitable type andstock, such as 10 to 14 point SBS paper board (i.e., solid bleachedsulfate paper), which may include a coating on one or both sides, suchas a clay coating. Comparable board containing post-consumer recycledcontent likewise may be used. Suitable paper stock can be obtainedcommercially, such as from International Paper or MeadWestvaco.

As illustrated, the blank 500 may comprise a first major surface 500′.Further, a second major surface 500″ may oppose the first major surface500′. The blank 500 may define a plurality of panels 500 a-p. The panels500 a-p may be separated by folds, cuts, score lines, and/or any otherfeature defining a boundary. Accordingly, the blank 500 may be integralin one embodiment, and the panels 500 a-p may comprise portions thereof.

The blank 500 may include a plurality of lateral panels 500 a-e. Thelateral panels 500 a-e may include a front panel 500 a, a rear panel 500b, a left panel 500 c, a right panel 500 d, an overlapping panel 500 e,and an interlocking panel 500 f. Further, the blank 500 may include aplurality of top panels 500 g-l. The top panels 500 g-l may include anupper top panel 500 g, a sloped top panel 500 h, a left inner panel 500i, a right inner panel 500 j, a left corner panel 500 k, and a rightcorner panel 500 l. Additionally, the blank 500 may include a pluralityof bottom panels 500 m-p. The bottom panels 500 m-p may include a frontbottom panel 500 m, a rear bottom panel 500 n, a left bottom panel 500o, and a right bottom panel 500 p.

The blank 500 may be assembled into a package. For example, assemblingthe blank 500 into a package may involve folding the blank. Unlessotherwise noted below, each of the folds employed in forming the blank500 into a package involves moving the first major surface 500′ of thereferenced panels toward one another. Alternatively, unless otherwisenoted below, each of the folds may involve moving the second majorsurface 500″ of the referenced panels toward one another. Folds that areconducted in a differing direction from other folds are referenced asbeing “opposing.”

By way of example, the blank 500 may be folded between the front panel500 a and the left panel 500 c. Further, the blank 500 may be foldedbetween the front panel 500 a and the right panel 500 d. Thereby, theleft panel 500 c and the right panel 500 d may extend substantiallyparallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the frontpanel 500 a.

The blank 500 may also be folded between the left panel 500 c and theoverlapping panel 500 e. Further, the blank may be folded between theright panel 500 d and the rear panel 500 b. Thus, the overlapping panel500 e and the rear panel 500 b may extend substantially parallel to oneanother and the front panel 500 a and substantially perpendicular to theleft panel 500 c and the right panel 500 d. The overlapping panel 500 eand the rear panel 500 b may overlap when folded in this manner.

In order to retain the front panel 500 a, the rear panel 500 b, the leftpanel 500 c, and the right panel 500 d in this folded configuration, theoverlapping panel 500 e may be secured to the rear panel. For example,an adhesive 502 e may be applied to the first major surface 500′ at theoverlapping panel 500 e, such that when the second major surface 500″ ofthe rear panel 500 b is folded thereagainst, a bond is formed betweenthe overlapping panel and the rear panel. In this regard, in someembodiments the overlapping panel 500 e may be positioned inwardly fromthe rear panel 500 b when coupled thereto in order to provide theresultant package with a smooth exterior appearance.

Further, the bottom panels 500 m-p may be folded. In this regard, eachof the bottom panels 500 m-p may be folded inwardly such that eachbottom panel is substantially perpendicular to the lateral panels 500a-e. More particularly, the front bottom panel 500 m may be foldedinwardly and the left bottom panel 500 o may be folded thereagainst.Similarly, the rear bottom panel 500 n may be folded inwardly and theright bottom panel 500 p may be folded thereagainst.

In some embodiments the first major surface 500′ of the blank 500 mayinclude an adhesive 502 m at the front bottom panel 500 m and anadhesive 502 n at the rear bottom panel 500 n. Accordingly, a bond maybe formed between the first major surface 500′ of the front bottom panel500 m and the second major surface 500″ of the left bottom panel 500 o.In particular, the adhesive 502 m on the front bottom panel 500 m mayengage a portion 504 o of the left bottom panel 500 o at the secondmajor surface 500″. Similarly, a bond may be formed between the firstmajor surface 500′ of the rear bottom panel 500 n and the second majorsurface 500″ of the right bottom panel 500 p. In particular, theadhesive 502 p on the rear bottom panel 500 n may engage a portion 504 pof the right bottom panel 500 p at the second major surface 500″.

In order to complete a bottom of the package formed from the blank 500,the left bottom panel 500 o and the right bottom panel 500 p may beengaged with one another. In this regard, as illustrated, the leftbottom panel 500 o and the right bottom panel 500 p may respectivelyinclude cutouts 506 o, 506 p configured to provide for engagementtherebetween. Thus, the left bottom panel 500 o and the right bottompanel 500 p may be folded in manner whereby a portion of the left bottompanel is inwardly positioned relative to the right bottom panel, and aportion of the left bottom panel is positioned outwardly relative to theright bottom panel. Note that while a particular order of steps isdescribed above in folding the blank 500, these steps may be conductedin differing sequences in other embodiments.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the above-described proceduremay produce a convertible packaging device 600 comprising a package 602formed from the blank 500 (see, FIG. 16). Note that the particular shapeof the panels 500 a-p of the blank 500 (see, FIG. 16) causes the package602 to define the shape illustrated in FIG. 17 and in other figures asdescribed hereinafter. However, it should be understood that theparticular configuration of the blank 500 (e.g., the size, placement,number, and shape of the panels) may be changed to define a desiredconfiguration of the package. Thus, aspects of the present disclosuremay be included with various other embodiments of blanks and resultantpackages without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The above-described procedure causes the package 602 to define an openconfiguration in which an inner cavity 604 defined by the panels 500 a-pis accessible. Accordingly, one or more products may be placed into thepackage 602. In some embodiments it may be desirable to support productsreceived in the inner cavity 604 for display purposes. For example, asdescribed below, the package 602 may be configured to display productsfor sale or other purposes.

In this regard, FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiments of a blank 700configured to form an insert. The blank 700 may comprise variousembodiments of materials including paperboard, corrugated board paper,chipboard, fiberboard, and/or thermoplastic. However, various otherembodiments of materials may be employed in other embodiments. In someembodiments the material defining the blank 700 may be laminated orcoated with wax or other material. Further, the blank 700 may beimprinted via any of various known methods to provide the blank with,for example, an ornamental design, and/or identifying information.Useful exemplary materials include paperboard of a suitable type andstock, such as 10 to 14 point SBS paper board (i.e., solid bleachedsulfate paper), which may include a coating on one or both sides, suchas a clay coating. Comparable board containing post-consumer recycledcontent likewise may be used. Suitable paper stock can be obtainedcommercially, such as from International Paper or MeadWestvaco.

As illustrated, the blank 700 may comprise a first major surface 700′.Further, a second major surface 700″ may oppose the first major surface700′. The blank 700 may define a plurality of panels 700 a-m. The panels700 a-m may be separated by folds, cuts, score lines, and/or any otherfeature defining a boundary. Accordingly, the blank 700 may be integralin one embodiment, and the panels 700 a-m may comprise portions thereof.

The panels 700 a-m may include a rear panel 700 a, a left panel 700 b, aright blank 700 c, and a bottom panel 700 d. Further, the panels 700 a-mmay include a plurality of elevated panels 700 e-k. The elevated panels700 e-k may be elevated with respect to the bottom panel 700 d andconfigured to hold and display products. As illustrated the elevatedpanels 700 e-k may include a plurality of longitudinal support panels700 e-h. Additionally, the elevated panels 700 e-k may include aplurality of pairs of lateral support panels 700 i-k. One or morelocking panels 700 l, 700 m may extend from one of the longitudinalsupport panels 700 f.

The blank 700 may be assembled into an insert. Unless otherwise notedbelow, each of the folds employed in forming the insert involve movingthe first major surface 700′ of the referenced panels toward oneanother. Alternatively, unless otherwise noted below, each of the foldsmay involve moving the second major surface 700″ of the referencedpanels toward one another. Folds that are conducted in a differingdirection from other folds are referenced as being “opposing.”

In this regard, the blank 700 may be folded between the bottom blank 700d and the rear panel 700 a such that the rear panel extendssubstantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. For example, the bottomblank 700 d may extend substantially horizontally and the rear panel 700a may extend substantially vertically after being folded relative to oneanother. The blank 700 may be folded between the rear panel 700 a and afirst pair of lateral support panels 700 i such that the lateral supportpanels extend substantially perpendicular to the rear panel (e.g.,substantially horizontal).

Further, the blank 700 may be folded between the first pair of lateralsupport panels 700 i and a first longitudinal support panel 700 e, suchthat the first longitudinal support panel extends downwardly (e.g.,substantially vertically) from the first pair of lateral support panels700 i. The blank 700 may also be folded between the first longitudinalsupport panel 700 e and a second pair of lateral support panels 700 j,such that the second pair of lateral support panels extend substantiallyperpendicular thereto (e.g., substantially horizontal). This fold may beconducted in an opposing manner such that the second pair of lateralsupport panels 700 j extends away from, rather than toward, the firstpair of lateral support panels 700 i.

The blank 700 may additionally be folded between the second pair oflateral support panels 700 j and a second longitudinal support panel 700f. Thereby, the second longitudinal support panel 700 f may extendsubstantially perpendicular to the second pair of lateral support panels700 j (e.g., substantially vertical). The blank 700 may additionally befolded between the second longitudinal support panel 700 f and a thirdpair of lateral support panels 700 k. This fold may be conducted in anopposing manner such that the third pair of lateral support panels 700 kextends away from, rather than toward, the second pair of lateralsupport panels 700 j. Thereby, the third pair of lateral support panels700 k may extend substantially horizontally and perpendicular to thesecond longitudinal support panel 700 f.

Further, the blank 700 may be folded between the third pair of lateralsupport panels 700 k and a third longitudinal support panel 700 g.Thereby, the third longitudinal support panel 700 f may extendsubstantially vertically and perpendicular to the third pair of lateralsupport panels 700 k. Additionally, the blank 700 may be folded betweenthe bottom panel 700 d and a fourth longitudinal support panel 700 h.Thereby, the fourth longitudinal panel 700 h may extend upwardsubstantially vertically and perpendicular to the bottom panel 700 d.Further, the fourth longitudinal support panel 700 h may be positionedagainst and substantially parallel to the third longitudinal supportpanel 700 g.

In some embodiments the third and fourth longitudinal support panels 700g, 700 h may be secured to one another (e.g., via adhesive), to retainthe folded configuration described above. However, additional oralternative securing mechanisms may be employed to retain the blank 700in the folded configuration. In this regard, the locking panels 700 l,700 m may be folded toward the second longitudinal support panel 700 fsuch that they extend substantially perpendicular thereto. Thereby, thelocking panels 700 l, 700 m may engage notches 702 b, 702 c defined inthe lateral panels 700 b, 700 c to retain the folded configuration.

Accordingly, the above-described operations may be employed to form aninsert 800, as illustrated in FIG. 19. Note that the particular shape ofthe panels 700 a-m of the blank 700 (see, FIG. 18) causes the insert 800to define the shape illustrated in FIG. 19 and in other figures asdescribed hereinafter. However, it should be understood that theparticular configuration of the blank 700 (e.g., the size, placement,number, and shape of the panels) may be changed to define a desiredconfiguration of the insert. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure maybe included with various other embodiments of blanks and resultantinserts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As noted above, the insert 800 may optionally be employed in conjunctionwith the package 602. In this regard, FIG. 20 illustrates theconvertible packaging device 600 in a configuration in which the insert800 is received in the package 602. In particular, the insert 800 may beinserted into the inner cavity 604 defined by the package 602.

The insert 800 may be configured to hold any of various products. Inthis regard, the insert 800 may define a plurality of compartments 802a-d configured to respectively receive a product. Note that in theembodiments illustrated in the drawings, the compartments 802 a-d areconfigured to receive containers (e.g., embodiments of the containersdescribed above). Thus, the compartments 802 a-d define a shape and sizeconfigured to receive corresponding containers (e.g., containers thatare generally cylindrical). As may be understood, the insert may beconfigured to support various other shapes, sizes, and number ofproducts in other embodiments.

However, in the illustrated embodiment, the insert 800 defines fourcompartments 802 a-d. A first compartment 802 a may be defined betweenthe front panel 500 a of the package 602 and the fourth longitudinalsupport panel 700 h of the insert 800. A second compartment 802 b may bedefined between the fourth longitudinal support panel 700 h (and/or thethird longitudinal support panel 700 g) and the second longitudinalsupport panel 700 f of the insert 800. Further, a third compartment 802c may be defined between the second longitudinal support panel 700 f andthe first longitudinal support panel 708 e of the insert 800.Additionally, a fourth compartment 802 d may be defined between thefirst longitudinal support panel 700 e and the rear panel 700 a of theinsert 800.

FIG. 21 illustrates a packaged product assembly 900 comprising theconvertible packaging device 800 and a plurality of containers 810 a-d.The containers 810 a-d may be substantially similar to any of thecontainers described above (see, e.g., container 410 in FIG. 15). Thecontainers 810 a-d may be directly received in the convertible packagingdevice 800, or optionally supported by the insert 800 (see, e.g., FIG.20). In this regard, each of the containers 810 a-d may be respectivelyreceived in one of the compartments 802 a-d. Further, in embodiments inwhich the insert 800 defines a stepped configuration, the insert maysupport each of the containers 810 a-d at a differing height, asillustrated in FIG. 21.

The packaged product assembly 900 is illustrated in an openconfiguration in FIG. 21 following insertion of the containers 810 a-dtherein. Following insertion of the containers 810 a-d into theconvertible packaging device 800, the convertible packaging device maybe configured to a closed configuration. In the closed configuration,the left corner panel 500 k and the right corner panel 500 l may befolded inwardly toward the inner cavity 604. Further, the left innerpanel 500 i and the right inner panel 500 j may be folded inwardlytoward the inner cavity 604. Additionally, the upper top panel 500 g,the sloped top panel 500 h, and the interlocking panel 500 f may befolded inwardly toward the inner cavity 604 such that the interlockingpanel engages the front panel 500 a, the sloped top panel engages theinner panels 500 i, 500 j, and the upper top panel engages the cornerpanels 500 k, 500 l. Further, the front panel 500 a may include a fronttab 500 q and a slot 500 r may be defined between the interlocking panel500 f and the sloped top panel 500 h. Thus, the front tab 500 q may beengaged with the slot 500 r.

Accordingly, the package 602 of the packaged product assembly 900 may beconfigured to a closed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 22. In theclosed configuration, the packaged product assembly 900 may be shippedor otherwise distributed. In this regard, the insert 800 may support thecontainers 810 a-d therein as described above, and the package 602 mayretain the containers therein. Following distribution, the package 602may be employed to display the containers 810 a-d for sale or otherpurposes.

In this regard, in some embodiments the package 602 may be configurablebetween the closed configuration illustrated in FIG. 22 and a displayconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 23. Thus, in some embodiments thepanels 500 a-p defining the package 602 may include a reconfigurableportion 508 a and a base portion 508 b. As illustrated in FIG. 16, inone embodiment the reconfigurable portion 508 a may comprise theinterlocking panel 500 f, the upper top panel 500 g, and the sloped toppanel 500 h. Further, the base portion 508 b may comprise the remainderof the panels 500 a-e, 500 i-p.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, the reconfigurable portion 508 a may beconfigured to move relative to the base portion 508 b to define anopening 606 to the inner cavity 604. Further, the reconfigurable portion508 a may be configured to engage the base portion 508 b to define adisplay 608 in the display configuration. For example, in theillustrated embodiment the display 608 comprises a portion of the slopedtop panel 500 h.

As illustrated, the sloped top panel 500 h may be folded along a foldline 512 during formation of the display 608. Thereby, the sloped toppanel 500 h may be folded inwardly toward the rear panel 500 b (see,e.g., FIG. 17). As illustrated in FIG. 16, in some embodiments a cut 514through the rear panel 500 b may define a rear tab 516. The rear tab 516may be configured to engage the reconfigurable portion 508 a in thedisplay configuration. More particularly, the rear tab 516 may beconfigured to engage the interlocking panel 500 f to retain thereconfigurable portion 508 in the display configuration.

The sloped top panel 500 h may include a slit 518 (see, FIG. 16) thatextends from the fold line 512 toward the upper top panel 500 g.Accordingly, the display 608 may include an elevated portion 610 thatextends above a remainder of the package 602 when the sloped top panel500 h is bent along the fold line 512 to define the displayconfiguration. Thus, the display 608 may be employed to prominentlydisplay product identifier information, advertising, or otherinformation or data relating to the product (e.g., the containers 810a-d) received in the inner cavity 604. In this regard, at least aportion of the display 608, and in particular the elevated portion 610thereof, may be positioned above the inner cavity 604 and the remainderof the package 602. Accordingly, the display 608 may be configured todraw attention to the packaged product assembly 900 and in particularthe containers 810 a-d or other products received therein.

However, in order to more prominently display the container 810 a-d orother product received in the inner cavity 604, the base portion 508 bmay include a disposable portion 508 b′ (seem e.g., FIG. 16) that isremovable. In this regard, FIG. 24 illustrates the packaged productassembly 900 following removal of the disposable portion 508 b′ of thebase portion 508 b. As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 24, the disposableportion 508 b′ of the base portion 508 b′ may include the left innerpanel 500 i, the right inner panel 500 j, the left corner panel 500 k,and the right corner panel 500 l. Further, the disposable portion 508 b′may include a portion of the front panel 500 a, the left panel 500 c,and the right panel 500 d. A tear line 510 (see, FIG. 16) extendingacross the front panel 500 a, the left panel 500 c, and the right panel500 d may facilitate removal of the disposable portion 508 b′.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 24, a remaining portion 508 b″ ofthe base portion 508 b may cooperate with the reconfigurable portion 508a to display the containers 810 a-d in the display configuration. Thebase portion 508 b may be configured such that the containers 810 a-d atleast partially extend through the opening 606 to the inner cavity whenthe disposable portion 508 b′ is removed. In this regard, the baseportion 508 b may extend to a relatively lower height when thedisposable portion 508 b′ is removed. Thereby, the containers 810 a-dmay be more easily viewed from multiple angles.

A related product display method is also provided. As illustrated, themethod may include receiving a convertible packaging device at operation1002. The convertible packaging device may include a package in a closedconfiguration. The package may comprise a plurality of panelssubstantially enclosing an inner cavity. The convertible packagingdevice may additionally include one or more products received in theinner cavity. The method may further comprise transforming theconvertible packaging device to a display at operation 1004.Transforming the convertible packaging device to the displayconfiguration at operation 1004 may include moving a reconfigurableportion of the panels to define an opening to the inner cavity andengaging the reconfigurable portion of the panels with a base portion ofthe panels to define a display.

In some embodiments transforming the convertible packaging device to thedisplay configuration at operation 1004 may further comprise removing adisposable portion of the base portion of the panels. Removing thedisposable portion of the base portion of the panels may compriseremoving at least a portion of one or more lateral panels. Removing thedisposable portion of the base portion of the panels may furthercomprise removing at least a portion of a front panel. Engaging thereconfigurable portion of the panels with the base portion of the panelsto define the display may comprise engaging the reconfigurable portionwith a rear tab defined by a cut in a rear panel.

Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosure set forth hereinwill come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosurepertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificaspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intendedto be included within the scope of the appended claims. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A convertible packaging device, comprising: apackage configurable between a closed configuration and a displayconfiguration, the package comprising a plurality of panels configurableto define an inner cavity substantially enclosed by the panels in theclosed configuration and configured to hold one or more products,wherein the panels comprise a reconfigurable portion and a base portion,the reconfigurable portion being configured to move relative to the baseportion to define an opening to the inner cavity and configured toengage the base portion to define a display in the displayconfiguration.
 2. The convertible packaging device of claim 1, furthercomprising an insert received within the package, the insert beingconfigured to support the one or more products.
 3. The convertiblepackaging device of claim 2, wherein the insert defines a steppedconfiguration configured to support each of the products at a differingheight.
 4. The convertible packaging device of claim 1, wherein the baseportion of the panels comprises a disposable portion that is removable.5. The convertible packaging device of claim 4, wherein the base portionis configured such that the one or more products at least partiallyextend through the opening when the disposable portion is removed. 6.The convertible packaging device of claim 4, wherein the disposableportion comprises at least a portion of one or more lateral panels. 7.The convertible packaging device of claim 6, wherein the disposableportion further comprises at least a portion of a front panel.
 8. Theconvertible packaging device of claim 1, wherein the panels furthercomprise a rear panel, and wherein a cut through the rear panel definesa rear tab configured to engage the reconfigurable portion in thedisplay configuration.
 9. A packaged product assembly, comprising: aconvertible packaging device, comprising: a package configurable betweena closed configuration and a display configuration, the packagecomprising a plurality of panels configurable to define an inner cavitysubstantially enclosed by the panels in the closed configuration,wherein the panels comprise a reconfigurable portion and a base portion,the reconfigurable portion being configured to move relative to the baseportion to define an opening to the inner cavity and configured toengage the base portion to define a display in the displayconfiguration; and one or more products received in the inner cavity.10. The packaged product assembly of claim 9, wherein the convertiblepackaging device further comprises an insert received within thepackage, the insert supporting the one or more products.
 11. Thepackaged product assembly of claim 10, wherein the insert defines astepped configuration configured to support each of the products at adiffering height.
 12. The packaged product assembly of claim 9, whereinthe base portion of the panels comprises a disposable portion that isremovable.
 13. The packaged product assembly of claim 12, wherein thebase portion of the panels of the package is configured such that theone or more products at least partially extend through the opening whenthe disposable portion is removed.
 14. The packaged product assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the disposable portion comprises at least a portion ofone or more lateral panels.
 15. The packaged product assembly of claim14, wherein the disposable portion further comprises at least a portionof a front panel.
 16. The packaged product assembly of claim 9, whereinthe panels of the package further comprise a rear panel, and wherein acut through the rear panel defines a rear tab configured to engage thereconfigurable portion in the display configuration.
 17. A productdisplay method, comprising: receiving a convertible packaging device,comprising a package in a closed configuration, the package comprising aplurality of panels substantially enclosing an inner cavity; and one ormore products received in the inner cavity; and transforming theconvertible packaging device to a display configuration by: moving areconfigurable portion of the panels to define an opening to the innercavity; and engaging the reconfigurable portion of the panels with abase portion of the panels to define a display.
 18. The product displaymethod of claim 17, wherein transforming the convertible packagingdevice to the display configuration further comprises removing adisposable portion of the base portion of the panels.
 19. The productdisplay method of claim 18, wherein removing the disposable portion ofthe base portion of the panels comprises removing at least a portion ofone or more lateral panels.
 20. The product display method of claim 19,wherein removing the disposable portion of the base portion of thepanels further comprises removing at least a portion of a front panel.21. The product display method of claim 17, wherein engaging thereconfigurable portion of the panels with the base portion of the panelsto define the display comprises engaging the reconfigurable portion witha rear tab defined by a cut in a rear panel.